This egg is cracked.
Ain’t nobody here but us chickens. (Oh, and Mr. Watson and Mr. Nelson, too.)
Mr. Watson and Mr. Nelson, a queer couple who live in a “big, honking house with a teeny-tiny yard in a big, honking city” with Mr. Watson’s 456 chickens, have a problem. No, it’s not stains on the furniture (although that might be problem)—it’s the noise of the chickens, led by brown hen Aunt Agnes and her song: “Shooby-doo, wonky-pow, bawka-bawka in da chow-chow.” It’s a song she sings constantly, and it’s driving a wedge between Messrs. Watson and Nelson. The solution—crating up the chickens to find them new homes at the county fair—stumbles (literally) when Mr. Watson trips on a ball and the chickens get loose, disappearing into the fair. The story is amusing if on the twee side. Frequent repeated phrases will assist skilled storytellers in performing the tale effectively, although the detailed, chicken-filled illustrations will make the book difficult to use with large groups. Chicken-loving lapsitters, however, will find much to look at. Whatever the setting, adults sharing this should be prepared to engage with the difficult and not-so-subtle message that pets are easily disposed of once their novelty has worn off. Mr. Watson present White, and Mr. Nelson presents Asian. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
This egg is cracked. (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: Oct. 5, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-4521-7714-4
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further.
A young Latine boy finally gets to rescue the dog of his dreams, but training can be a challenge in two languages.
Like many children, José has been dreaming of having a pet of his own, specifically un perro, a dog. Like any good owner, José promptly begins training his new canine companion but soon realizes his rescue mutt, Feliz, knows only words in English. This is a problem because in José’s home everyone speaks both Spanish and English. José and Feliz must rise to the challenge; fortunately, treats and snuggles are great motivators. The narrative uses Spanish words and phrases throughout (“perros blancos,” “¡Yo quiero este!” “¡Sientate!”), usually with English context clues for understanding. This is complex vocabulary for an early reader, and the shifting in phonics from English to Spanish will be challenging for true beginners; the book is best suited for intermediate to advanced readers in dual-language classrooms or homes. Much like Feliz, however, it is sure to find a loving (and bilingual) home. Cheerful illustrations complement the text, helping readers make sense of the narrative. While José and his mother are darker-skinned, his father and sister are lighter-skinned. (This review has been updated for accuracy.)
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further. (glossary of Spanish-English words) (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: April 25, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-52116-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
An effective early chapter book conveyed in a slightly overdone gag.
Epistolary dispatches from the eternal canine/feline feud.
Simon the cat is angry. He had done a good job taking care of his boy, Andy, but now that Andy’s parents are divorced, a dog named Baxter has moved into Andy’s dad’s house. Simon believes that there isn’t enough room in Andy’s life for two furry friends, so he uses the power of the pen to get Baxter to move out. Inventively for the early-chapter-book format, the story is told in letters written back and forth; Simon’s are impeccably spelled on personalized stationery while Baxter’s spelling slowly improves through the letters he scrawls on scraps of paper. A few other animals make appearances—a puffy-lipped goldfish who for some reason punctuates her letter with “Blub…blub…” seems to be the only female character (cued through stereotypical use of eyelashes and red lipstick), and a mustachioed snail ferries the mail to and fro. White-appearing Andy is seen playing with both animals as a visual background to the text, as is his friend Noah (a dark-skinned child who perhaps should not be nicknamed “N Man”). Cat lovers will appreciate Simon’s prickliness while dog aficionados will likely enjoy Baxter’s obtuse enthusiasm, and all readers will learn about the time and patience it takes to overcome conflict and jealousy with someone you dislike.
An effective early chapter book conveyed in a slightly overdone gag. (Fiction. 6-8)Pub Date: May 12, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-8234-4492-2
Page Count: 80
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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